TMZ Sports says Foster story on TV show’s debut ‘a coincidence’

Given the nature of celebrity culture and athletics, TMZ probably could have picked any week to launch its new TMZ Sports television program and had its pick of juicy, salacious scandals.

It was strictly coincidence, producers say, that TMZSports.com reported the Arian Foster paternity scandal Monday, the day the TV show launched on seven Fox Broadcasting stations, including KRIV (Ch. 26).

“We’re looking for the crossover between sports and pop culture where there are interesting stories, funny stories, shocking stories,” said Evan Rosenblum, the program’s executive producer. “In this particular case, (the Foster story) was a coincidence. We don’t believe in holding stories. As soon as we can confirm it, it goes on the website.”

Rosenblum said TMZ decided two years ago it could produce enough material for a sports site. That led to the June 2013 launch of TMZSports.com, followed by this week’s TV launch in Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington and Charlotte.

No sugarcoating

Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, said sports was a natural extension for TMZ.

“When it comes to what we consider a good, juicy, lathery celebrity story, we are starting to count on athletes for a higher percentage,” he said. “Over the last decade, they’ve really stepped up when it comes to doing outrageous things. There will be no lack of raw material for a separate show, but we’ll have to see how it works.”

TMZ’s critics have criticized the show’s glorification of celebrity culture, although Rosenblum noted the site’s work on harder news stories such as the investigation for sexual assault of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner.

“Sometimes people are great, and their personalities shine through,” Rosenblum said. “Sometimes they do dumb stuff; we don’t sugarcoat it.”

In some cases such as the Foster lawsuit, which claims the Texans running back encouraged a woman said to be pregnant with his child to have an abortion, TMZ co-founder Harvey Levin and his colleagues comment as well as report.

On Wednesday, Levin said, “I am strongly thinking that (Norwood) schemed to get pregnant.” Another staffer added, “She’s hot, and she had a plan.” A third added, “She looks tricky.”

While TMZ was the first to report on the lawsuit, KHOU (Ch. 11) news director Phil Bruce said the station also received a tip about the filing. Bruce said the station arranged an interview with the plaintiff, Brittany Norwood, that was being conducted as TMZ’s story was published.

“We were working on the story before TMZ came out and had no idea they were doing it,” Bruce said. “It’s my understanding that even the young woman’s attorney was surprised to see pictures (of Norwood and Foster) on TMZ.”

Manziel a perfect fit

Channel 26′s news department sent a reporter to Foster’s home, and a shouted conversation between Foster and a reporter aired on the station and on TMZ Sports. Channel 26 news director Robert Mortford said the presence of TMZ Sports on the station had “zero influence” on the decision to send a reporter to Foster’s house.

While the Foster story has been the most scandalous event of the week, TMZ Sports also airs stories on lighter topics, such as Rockets center Dwight Howard’s appearing in a music video.

While pro athletes garner most attention, college athletes like South Carolina defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel are fair game as well.

“(Manziel) is living the life a lot of people would want to live,” Rosenblum said. “He’s the Heisman-winning superstar who dates models and hangs out with celebrities. He’s interesting, and people are interested in what he’s doing, and that’s why we cover him.”